An indictment was unsealed today charging Bernard Lopez, 57, of Philadelphia, with theft of government funds for allegedly taking, for his own benefit, the Social Security Administration benefits check issued to another person, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.
If convicted, the defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a $100 special assessment, and up to three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Barrett.
An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
